A co-worker of mine left her husband with her son in late 2011. She lived for about six months with an uncle and then she rented a room in a friend's house for $200/month (below market, probably). She did not pay any rent to her uncle. She is still living in her friend's house.

Given that she did not pay rent for half the year, can she still file as head of household for FY 2012?

It's doubtful, but run the numbers in the worksheet on page 8 of Pub 501.

Phil
Rule Your Retirement Home Fool